Run For The Rose: My Thank You Note

To All Those Who Supported Us For "Run For The Rose":

I wish I could personally thank each of you, thank you for the love and support you've shown me and my family these last 6 months, love and support we've needed more than ever. There are so many of you to thank, so many of you who have gone above and beyond to show your love for us, and for that we are so blessed.

To those of you who woke up at 4:00 am-ish and made the drive to Reliant Sunday morning, thank you! I absolutely loved seeing all of our maroon "BTHO Brain Cancer" t-shirts during the race. It felt amazing to have so many people there to support Dad and support Brain Cancer funding. You all were able to meet other friends and families of brain cancer fighters, people who understand our battle on an entirely different level. I loved being asked who our team was for, who we were supporting at the race, and sharing the number of team members we had with us. Sunday was an overwhelming experience, one filled with love, hope and faith, and I was so happy so many of you were able to share that with us. 

To those of you who donated to our team, donations in total of $9,350, thank you! I remember when we first created the team we had received $750 in donations and I called Mom over to the computer to share with her the news! I never would have imagined at that time we would have raised over $9,000 by race day! Dad will be meeting a new doctor in Houston on Tuesday, a doctor with ties to MD Anderson and treatments funded by Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. Your donations are directly funding treatments that Dad will be using, treatments that are saving lives. 

To those of you who purchased "Team Lar" t-shirts, thank you for showing your love and support! There were many of you who weren't able to make it on Sunday but wanted to wear your shirt to support Dad, and for that we are so grateful! We are so proud of Dad- his strength, determination, and fight- and I'm so proud that by wearing his shirt you are sharing Dad's story and supporting Brain Cancer research. 

To those of you who continue to pray for us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! From day one people have asked what we needed, and we've always asked for prayers! Cancer sucks, but God is truly good- and we have been so blessed with those of you who have constantly prayed for us and for Dad's strength! My faith has been tested more than ever during this time, but at the same time my faith has been strengthened even more. Your continuous prayers and thoughts have not gone unnoticed, and we are so blessed with all the love from each of you. 

And to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, there are no words for my appreciation for your foundation. When Dad was diagnosed I wanted to find other stories similar to Dad- stories of faith, hope and determination, and that's exactly what I found at your foundation! To meet with others who know our fight, who know our struggle and who just understand, is something I can never thank the Rose family enough for. They are funding research that is saving lives and providing families with hope. 

Our first trip to "Run For The Rose" was a huge success! I honestly can't believe the amount of money we raised and the number of people on our team. Thank you all for making this a day I will truly never forget, a day that meant more to me than you will ever know. Just one year away from our next trip to The Rose- so you all have one year to get in shape for the run! 

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! There are no words to describe how I feel- I'm grateful, appreciative and blessed with such amazing friends and family. You all have made these last months filled with anxiety, stress and fear, seem to disappear- as now I am filled with hope. Thank you all, and thanks for helping up BTHO Brain Cancer!

Whitney 

T- 2 Days Until "Run For The Rose"

With only 2 days remaining until our first trip to 'Run For The Rose', I feel like I've been running around like crazy getting things together- and I LOVE it! From finalizing t-shirt orders, to writing thank you notes (LOTS of Thank You notes), to scheduling our Race Day packet deliveries, I've been extremely busy and extremely thankful- thankful for such amazing people supporting us! Last night I shared with Dad the list of people who are running with us on Sunday, those of you who have donated money, and those of you who have purchased a 'Team Lar' t-shirt- the smile on his face when he saw the lists made all of my crazy running around completely worth it! 

As of this morning, we've raised $8,225! That number is truly unbelievable to me. $8,225! The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation is truly amazing and I'm so happy to have found a foundation that does so much for the cancer community:
-They were the first in Houston to help fund Brain Cancer research.
-At MD Anderson, more than 5 clinical trials have resulted directly from the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation contributions. Funding of research and therapy which has enabled many brain tumor patients to live 5-6 years and more without recurrence. 
-And along with their support of Brain Cancer research, they also are supporters of the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

With Dad's upcoming appointments in Houston with another Oncologist, an Oncologist with direct ties to MD Anderson clinical trials, I am so proud that our team has been able to donate over $8,000! This money will fund treatments that will have a direct impact on Dad's fight.

This foundation has given me new hope in Dad's diagnosis, new hope that there will be a day where a cure is found for cancer, a day where fear and anxiety will no longer be felt when someone hears 'cancer', but instead- 'hope'. 

So thank you for your support over these past 6 months, thank you for your donations and kind words, and thank you for allowing me run around like crazy to make our first trip to 'Run For The Rose' a huge success. 

And most importantly- Thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer! 
http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Run For The Rose: T-Minus 4 Days!

With only 4 days remaining until 'Run For The Rose', I wanted to share a few numbers with y'all:

96: The number of 'Team Lar' t-shirts YOU requested. That means 96 of you will be wearing a shirt supporting Brain Cancer research and Dad. 

52: The number of people who have joined 'BTHO Brain Cancer- Lar's Fight'. 

116: The number of people who have donated to our team for 'Run For The Rose'. 

And...

$105.00: The amount we need to reach our goal of $7,000! 

There is still time to join our team and donate money to such an amazing foundation, a foundation which is changing lives of so many. Please visit our team page http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer and help us reach our goal!

With 4 days remaining until we are given the opportunity to meet with other Brain Cancer survivors and families/friends impacted by Brain Cancer, I can't help but look at those numbers above and realize how thankful I am for such an amazing support system we have. 

This hasn't been an easy journey for anyone in my family, but we've been able to make it through it all with those of you who have been there from the beginning, praying for us and cheering us on as we all fight this together. 

Cancer may suck, but God is good! Thank you all and thank you for helping us BTHO Brain Cancer!

Our First Round of Avastin IV Treatment: Dad Update 3/25

During Dad's initial treatment, I was able to take him to radiation treatment every Friday for 6 weeks, and every Friday I would talk to others JUST like Dad- others fighting this battle. I was honored because I was able to witness and interact with the strongest people in the world- those fighting cancer. Some may say that our story has been an inspiration to others, a story of faith and determination, and maybe that's true, but all I know is that when Dad was getting radiation and IV treatment, those fighting cancer, they inspired me more than they will ever know. 

Dad started a new treatment today- Avastin. It's a treatment done via IV, which lasts about 1.5 hours. The side effects are said to be minimal and we are praying that is the case. Dad hasn't been feeling well these last few days- he's tired, having headaches and stomach issues. It breaks my heart. I'm just praying, praying this treatment cures all the growth and Dad will start to feel better again. I sat with Dad during his treatment, I wanted to be there to distract him from it all- make him laugh, tell him about work or (in true Whitney form) just bullshit with him about life- but in true Lar form, he napped. There is no way to describe what it's like to sit next to your Dad as he receives treatment for cancer, no way to describe the fear, anxiety and, at the same time, joy I felt that I was able to share those moments with him. Sitting there with him, surround by fighters...there was no where else I'd rather be.

We will continue this treatment every 2 weeks, and we will be meeting with a Neuro-Oncologist next week in Houston. And then in one month we will repeat the MRI and pray for no more cancer growth. Until then, until that one month passes, I'm taking everything one day at a time and attempting to smile through it all. 

I've been so blessed to have found the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, so blessed to now be part of something much bigger than myself. The Run For The Rose not only raises money for Brain Cancer research, but also brings awareness to Brain Cancer- a cancer that is often under-recognized and under-funded. I'm so proud to know that our team has raised over $6,800. It's become much bigger than I could have ever hoped and dreamed!

I want to thank each of you for being on this journey with us, a journey filled with uncertainty and fear, but also one filled with faith and hope. Many of you have thanked me for writing about Dad's fight, when really I should be thanking you for reading about our journey and encouraging me to write. By sharing our story, I've been able to join with others fighting similar battles, others who know the pain, fear and anxiety I write about daily. Honestly, it sucks (for lack of a better word) to share a battle with cancer with a friend, and as much as I hate that cancer is something we have in common- it's also comforting to have someone that truly understands it all.

"When you get a cancer diagnosis you learn two things, you are stronger than you imagine, and you are more loved than you know." With every minute that passes from the moment we received the news on Friday about Dad's cancer, I'm able to process and grasp our new path in his treatment. It's not going to be easy, and there will be moments when I will feel as though all hope is gone, but I also know that there will come a day when a story that involves cancer will also involve a cure- we just have to make it to that day.

Keep praying and we will keep fighting. 


*There is still time to join our team or make a donation towards Brain Cancer research: http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer 

Run For The Rose Update: 3/23

When I came across the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation and created a team for "Run For The Rose" supporting brain cancer research, I never would have imagined we would have over 50 members on our team, have raised over $6,300, and have ordered over 80 "Team Lar" t-shirts. There are no words to describe my feelings. 

The news we received Friday wasn't what I was wanting to hear, but just like Mom told me, "Sometimes God doesn't give us what we want, he gives us what we need", and maybe she's right. The news makes me want to fight even more, fight to be stronger for Dad, fight to be stronger for Mom and fight to bring more awareness to brain cancer. 

I honestly can't believe we've raised so much money, money that will go towards research and money to help end cancer. I'm not sure how Dad will react to these next treatments, and I'm not sure where this journey will take us, but what I do know is that I've become part of something bigger than me- I've become part of finding a cure. Dad has so much fight and determination still left in him, fight and determination that tells me Dad will surprise us all! 

I continue to pray everyday for Dad, I pray for his strength and determination to impact others, I pray these next round of treatments fight hard against his cancer and I pray for a day that no one has to experience the pain and fear of cancer.

I'm so proud to be part of Dad's journey, proud of who he is and proud of who I've become. 

There is still time to join our team, make a donation or order a t-shirt for the "Run For The Rose" 5k. Please help to BTHO Cancer! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

The Post I Never Wanted To Write

It's the post, this part of our story, that I never wanted to have to share- the MRI indicated the cancer is back. 

I didn't know how to share this news or even if I was ready to share this news, but then I realized I've had so many of you on this journey with me from the start- people who have prayed and been with us through it all- and I owed it to myself and to everyone to share this.

The doctor wasn't happy with the MRI results, as the results indicated tumor growth, with a small chance of the growth being pseudoprogression, which can look like tumor growth although is a side-effect from the radiation (i.e. not cancer). We have decided that we want to be as aggressive as possible and start additional treatment right away, and the doctor agreed. 

So our next steps- Dad will continue on his chemo by pill on Monday and start another treatment called Avastin, which is by IV, on Tuesday. We have scheduled appointments with another doctor in Houston to discuss other treatments for GBM, in hopes we find the one that works for Dad. 

People have already been asking what they can do, and all I ask is that you continue to pray. Pray that we find a treatment that works best for Dad, pray that he continues to be positive throughout his treatment, and pray that we all stay positive and focused on God's plan. 

I don't have a choice here to fall apart or be sad, the only choice I have is to do everything I can to help Dad fight. Don't get me wrong, I've cried most of today and I'm sure the days ahead will not be easy, but my tears are quickly dried when I remind myself that we are truly blessed. Blessed with amazing family to support us, amazing friends who love us, and a God that is good.

Thank you all for your love and support- and keep those prayers coming, as we will find a way to BTHO Cancer!

You Never Know How Strong You Are, Until Being Strong Is The Only Option

I've had people tell me how well I'm handling our situation, how strong I am being throughout it all. It's strange to me, because I never thought about it that way- I never thought that I had any other option than to be strong. 

I'm handling this situation the only way I know, the only way I've come to know, by watching others. I remember when I was young and my Granny was diagnosed with cancer, I was much too young to really understand the true impact of the illness, but I witness the fight and determination- and sadly, I watched as cancer took my Granny too soon. But I also witnessed something else, something that I wasn't too young to understand- Love. I watched as my Mom and Aunt took turns sleeping over with my Granny, I watched as they sacrificed time with their own kids, time at work and time relaxing, to help take care of their mother. I was taught early on how to react to a situation like this, a situation as devastating as cancer, as I was taught to be strong, help in every way possible, and to pray- which is exactly what I am doing. 

The first couple of weeks was very difficult after Dad's seizure, and I will not deny that I questioned God, questioned my faith and questioned this path. But as the days have passed and I've been able to process life little by little, I've come to understand that God doesn't call the qualified, the qualifies the called. I wasn't ready for this journey when everything started- and it took time for me to understand this path and understand my journey- but I truly believe that God so perfectly created this for us. He created a path that is difficult- filled with highs and lows, good and bad days- but a path that he felt was perfect for my family. 

It absolutely breaks my heart when I hear of others with loved ones that have been diagnosed with cancer. It takes me back to those first couple of weeks- weeks where I questioned everything about this path, and I questioned everything about my faith. It's a horrible feeling, a feeling that I don't wish upon anyone, although it's a feeling I know many are experiencing right now. 

Anyone faced with a difficult situation can crumble, fall, and lose hope- but I've chosen to not allow this difficult situation to result in any of those things. I will never lose hope, I will never lose faith and I will never lose my strength, because I know miracles happen every day. 

The saying is very true.. "you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option." Cancer sucks, and that won't change today or tomorrow, so instead I'm going to pray for those who are battling and those who are standing by loved ones battling cancer. I'm praying for comfort, praying for healing, and praying that they too never lose the strength to make it through each and every day. 

Trust

Anticipation, anxiety and fear has consumed many of my thoughts lately, as we will know Dad's MRI results on Friday. I know the statistics, I know the odds of the tumor returning, and I also know that the cancer returning would only be a small step back, a bump in this journey. Dad responded really well to the radiation and chemotherapy, as his MRI post treatment looked even better than his MRI post surgery. This gives me hope, although the anticipation, anxiety and fear still remain, and I pray each night for trust- trust in a much higher power, a power greater than any doctor, chemo or other medication. Trust.

Trust has been so difficult for me during this experience, a struggle each day to just TRUST. When I was going through confirmation I selected a verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way." It's pretty amazing to me that the one thing I find myself struggling with most is the main focus of a verse I selected when I was in the 8th grade. Coincidence is just God's way of remaining anonymous. 

It's been no secret this fear and anxiety I have, and it's been no secret that I've praised God throughout this entire journey as well. My daily devotional is really amazing, and it helps remind me of this TRUST. Today's reading, was no exception:
"Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don't let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. I will equip you to get through this day victoriously as you live in deep dependence on Me. Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don't get tangled up in it's worry-webs. Trust Me one day at a time."

One day at a time. That's exactly how we've been taking Dad's diagnosis, his treatment, everything- one day at a time. It hasn't been easy, actually it's been far from easy, it's been downright difficult. But I'm learning to TRUST, trust that everything will work out, trust that God is in control of it all, and trust that no matter what lies ahead, God is already there. 

I can tell Dad is anxious about his next upcoming appointments, and I don't blame him- because I'm right there with him with being anxious! He visits with his Neurosurgeon today to discuss his anti-seizure medication, and (I'm hoping) he decreases this medication even more. Dad still (legally) can not drive until April 5, as it is state law in Texas for anyone who has a seizure to wait 6 months until operating a vehicle. He also will be having blood work done today to prepare for his MRI tomorrow morning. And then we wait. Oh the waiting game. Friday morning we meet with his Oncologist to discuss the results, and as I'm sitting here I continue to pray for good results. 

I try to remind myself:
"They do not fear bad news; they confidently TRUST the Lord to care for them."

Keep the prayers coming for TRUST and good news on Friday!

Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation: Our Heroes

I'm so honored to have been asked to share Dad's story in the "Heroes" section of the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation website. I've been so blessed to have found this foundation and even more blessed to have been able to share Dad's story with others fighting this courageous battle! 

Check out his story: http://drmarnierose.org/our-heroes/larry-glenz/

Thanks for the continued love and support over these last few months!!

Dad Update: 3/12/2014

Exactly one week until Dad has another MRI and next Friday we will get the results. One week. The stress and worry I am already feeling is overwhelming, yet we still have one week. One week where my family and I will need prayers (lots of prayers!) prayers for good results, prayers for calming and prayers that Dad feels well.

We have started to notice a pattern with Dad's chemo treatment- it seems like the week of his treatment he is EXTREMELY tired, but does not feel sick at all, but the following week (more like 10 days) are filled with nausea and extreme cold-spells. We are trying to regulate anti-nausea medicine, and trying other types, in hopes we can figure out which ones work best for Dad. It's been a more difficult and challenging week for Dad than we were hoping for, but we have to take the good with the bad and try to smile through it all! We stay positive for Dad. From day #1 we have promised to never cry in front of Dad, and we don't- we stay strong, positive and determined, all for him!

The chemo treatment is all by pill, which has allowed less time on the road for both Mom and Dad, and has allowed us to get back to a somewhat 'normal' life, a 'normal' life without appointments daily, radiation treatment daily, etc, a life that is becoming our new normal. The treatment Dad took while going through radiation was every day (7 days a week), while the chemo he is currently on is only 5 days on- then 23 days off. These 5 days involve a double dose of the chemo he was getting during his initial treatment, which is why the side effects seem to be more intense. This schedule of treatment (5 days on, 23 days off) will continue for about 6 months- thankfully we are 2 months down. Dad is a little discouraged by the length of this treatment, but I remind him how blessed we are that there is chemo for this type of cancer, and how blessed we are that he has not been nearly as sick as many people going through the same type of treatment. Once the 6 months are over, he will continue to take the chemo medication, although it will not be as frequent- which is great news to Dad!

After Dad's next MRI, we will be on more of a schedule for upcoming MRI's- as they will be approximately every 3 months, depending on what the results look like next week. 

This has been such a learning experience for me. A learning experience that I'm not sure I was ready for at age 26, a learning experience that I'm not sure anyone is ever ready for no matter what age. I've learned about billing and insurance, medication and cancer treatment, short term disability and social security disability, and I've learned about patience (or at least I'm really trying!). 

Dad still struggles with some speech and cognitive skills, but all in all, he's come so far! I don't think people really know what to expect when they see or talk with Dad- as he hasn't lost a lot of weight (just some, but I think that's from the lack of beer!), and he still has most of his hair (some has fallen out due to the radiation)- but he's still Lar! He continues on this path of getting stronger and stronger each day, and he's put us on this path which has made each of us stronger each and every day. I'm so proud of him and how far he has come, and I'm so proud of his attitude throughout it all.

Praying for good results next Friday and praying Dad continues to BTHO Cancer!

*There is still time to join our 'BTHO Brain Cancer' team, order a 'Team Lar' t-shirt or make a donation to 'Run For The Rose' supporting Brain Cancer research. Visit our team page http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer or send me an email (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) for more information about any of the items above. Thank you all for your continued love and support!*

Run For The Rose Update (3/10/2014)

The upcoming 'Run For The Rose 5k' supporting brain cancer research is RIGHT around the corner- March 30, to be exact- and I'm THRILLED that we've raised over $3,000 for brain cancer research!

But there is still time to join our team, order a 'Team Lar' t-shirt or make a donation to such an amazing foundation! Please email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) with any questions you have regarding the run, how to make a donation or how to order a t-shirt and if I don't know the answer, I will find someone who does!

Thank you all for the LOVE and SUPPORT during this time, and help us in BTHO Cancer! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Thanks and Gig 'Em

Cancer: Just A Chapter In Our Lives, Not The Whole Story (Update 3/7/2014)

I've been extremely open about our struggles these past 5 months- 5 months that have seemed to fly by, and at the same time drag by, all at the same time. This week marks exactly 5 months from Dad's seizure, Dad's diagnosis, and the start of this incredible journey in our lives. 

Cancer changes us. It changes the person fighting the battle and those witnesses to this courageous battle, there is no doubt about that. This battle can bring a lot of change, although it's up to each of us what that change will mean in our lives and who we will become as a result of it. My openness of Dad's diagnosis, our triumphs, our struggles, our good and bad days, and our faith have opened me up to receiving so many wonderful things in my life. I've been reminded how truly good people are, I've been reminded that there are others fighting even harder battles, and I've been reminded (over and over again) that there is a much higher power controlling it all. 

My openness is different than some of my other family members, as I talk about Dad's diagnosis, his struggles, my personal struggles and his FIGHT to anyone who asks. I have always felt that I wanted people to know EXACTLY what was going on, so they knew EXACTLY what to pray for. I also want others to see our faith, Dad's fight, and Dad's determination, which is a huge reason why I write. This blog has helped me tremendously, it's helped me express my thoughts, my fears, and share Dad's story, a story I'm so proud to be included in. 

Cancer is just a chapter in our lives. A chapter that has become a huge changing point in our lives, especially mine. Cancer is not the whole story, although cancer can help to create the story- a story filled with faith, love and appreciation. 

Our story is just beginning and Dad's diagnosis is such a small chapter in our amazing life. A life that has been changed, changed for the better. 

I talk about Dad a lot, I talk about brain cancer and bringing awareness to others, awareness that is so badly needed. Brain cancer is extremely under-researched, under-funded and of little interest to many drug companies- something that I have decided is my new passion to change. My new passion has lead me to an amazing foundation, a foundation built by someone just like Dad, someone who battled GBM. Cancer is not going to go away tomorrow, or even the next day, but I have faith that we will see the day where cancer does not bring fear to those diagnosed, a day where hearing "Cancer" doesn't bring fear- but instead, hope. The only way to see this day is continued research and funding, which is exactly what the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation does each and every day- and I'm so proud to say I've helped contribute to that! I'm so proud of how well our team has done for the 'Run For The Rose', a 5k supporting the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation. We've raised over $3,000 and over 30 people have joined our team. We are truly blessed. This is just another way I'm able to share Dad's story, a story of faith, determination and family. Please feel free to visit our team page and join the run! http://runfortherose.racepartner.com/Run-for-the-rose/bthobraincancer

Another week out from Dad's chemo treatment and he has been feeling good and having a really good week! I keep telling myself "Fear can keep you up all night, but FAITH makes one great pillow", as we find out Dad's next MRI results in 2 weeks. 2 weeks that will fly by, yet at the same time drag by, all at the same time.

Continue the prayers, continue the thoughts, and continue in helping us BTHO Cancer! 

Details: Run For The Rose & Dad Update 3/4/2014

We've been so overwhelmed, and so blessed with amazing friends and family who are wanting to donate money or join our team for 'Run For The Rose', a race supporting Brain Cancer Research in Houston on March 30. So far we have raised $2,875 and over 30 people have joined our team! I love being able to share our story and raise awareness for Brain Cancer! I have had people stop and ask me about how to register for the run or how to donate, and I wanted to provide something to help anyone through the process- because I know it can be a bit confusing!

I have created a word document which provides step-by-step procedures (and pictures!) of how to register and how to donate. If this is something that you would like to see, PLEASE email me (glenzwhitney@gmail.com) and I can email you the information. We will also be ordering Team Lar t-shirts for the run, if this is something you are interested in PLEASE let me know. I plan to contact each member of our team this week- so if you are already on the team, no worries- you'll be getting an email from me soon! :)

Dad's been having a good week post-chemo treatment, although each day is a new day filled with concern that he may still be sick. The chemo pills tend to stay in Dad's system about 10 days after the last pill, which means we continue to monitor him and how well he is feeling. I'm currently traveling for work, which means 4 days away from home. It absolutely KILLS me to be away from home and not able to check on Dad or do things around the house- which makes me wonder how I ever made it for over 2 years living in Austin. I talked to Dad today and it just puts a huge smile on my face to hear his speech getting better and better each day- he's come so far! 

Tomorrow is my parents wedding anniversary, and to say they have truly lived their vows would be an understatement- "...In Sickness and in health". I've been so blessed to witness their love for one another, love that goes far beyond any words- as their love is shown through their actions, two people who would literally do anything for one another. 

I ask that you continue to pray for Dad, as we have another MRI scheduled at the end of this month. Dad continues to make progress everyday and I'm so incredibly proud that he is MY Dad. I also ask that you not take pity on us, please don't apologize for Dad's diagnosis- pray instead! Pray that he continues to do well with treatment, pray that my Mom continues with her strength each and every day, and pray that we all find the good in each and every moment. I'm not saying that this experience and this diagnosis has been easy (it's been far from that!), but I've been able to step back and see the good through all the bad. Cancer can do a lot of things to a person and to a person's family- both good and bad. I've seen the good. I've seen that the good has far outweighed the bad. Cancer may have taken away some of my Dad's short term memory, or some of his hair, and maybe some of his critical thinking ability- but what it hasn't taken away is my Dad's humor, my Dad's strength, and my Dad's love for his family. What cancer has done is made me realize even more that my Dad is really funny, that my Dad is really strong, and that my Dad loves his family more than life itself!

As any Aggie would say when describing Texas A&M University: "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it, and from the inside looking out, you can't explain it."- And this is EXACTLY how I've described our situation. I can't explain how I find the good in it all, but I can explain how this situation has found the good in me. 

Continue the prayers, continue the support and continue to help us BTHO ALL Cancer!